Understanding Sound Intensity and Decibels

These flashcards cover the key concepts and terminology related to sound intensity, decibels, and hearing.

Decibels (dB)

A logarithmic unit used to measure the intensity of sound.

Intensity

The power per unit area carried by a sound wave.

Inverse Square Law

A physical principle stating that the intensity of sound decreases with the square of the distance from the source.

Sound Pressure Level (SPL)

A measure of the pressure of a sound relative to a reference level, expressed in decibels.

Loudness

The perceived intensity of a sound, which can vary based on individual hearing.

Noise

A type of sound that carries no meaningful information, often considered undesirable.

Logarithmic Scale

A scale of measurement that uses logarithms to manage large numbers, commonly used in fields like acoustics.

Audiologist

A healthcare professional specializing in diagnosing and treating hearing loss and balance disorders.

Absolute Intensity

The actual intensity of a sound measured in watts per square meter.

Relative Intensity

The intensity of a sound relative to a reference intensity.

Power (in acoustic terms)

The rate at which sound energy is emitted, reflected, transmitted, or received.

20 Micro Pascals

The reference sound pressure level for air, equivalent to the threshold of hearing.

80 dB

A sound level that can be perceived as loud, which can start to cause hearing damage with prolonged exposure.

Octave Band

A range of frequencies whose upper limit is twice the frequency of its lower limit.

Logarithmic Changes

For every 10-fold change in intensity, the sound level increases by 10 dB.

Equals (in audio context)

In acoustics, to say one value 'equals' another often addresses a comparison or reference point in decibels.

Threshold of Hearing

The quietest sound that the average human ear can detect, typically defined as 0 dB.

A-Weighted

A filtering process used to measure sound levels, which accounts for the human ear's sensitivity to different frequencies.

SPL Reference Level

Typically set at 20 µPa, which is standard for sound pressure measurements.

Sound Wave

A traveling pressure wave produced by vibrating objects.

Audiogram

A chart that displays an individual's hearing sensitivity at different frequencies.

Sound Traveling Medium

The material (air, water, solid) through which sound waves propagate.

Decibel Addition Rule

A method used to combine decibel levels; for identical sound sources, the increase is 3 dB.

High Decibel Levels (e.g. 140 dB)

Can cause immediate hearing damage or loss due to intense sound pressure.

Continuous Noise Adaptation

The ability of a human to become accustomed to a continuous sound over time.

Hearing Protection

Devices or methods used to prevent hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises.